Indian women’s hockey team lost to Great Britain in what turned out to be a tightly contested match for the Bronze Medal at the Tokyo Olympics. GB defeated India 4-3 in a thriller of a game.
Here is what happened in Today’s Match
Neither side scored a goal in the First Quarter. Savita Punia, the nimble and dedicated Indian goalkeeper, saved two penalty corners besides blocking field goal attempts.
Great Britain got a breakthrough early in the second quarter, as Elena Rayer’s pass to a fellow GB player hit the stick of Indian defender Deep Grace Ekka and shot into the Indian goal post.
Another goal for GB followed soon from Sarah Robertson, taking its lead to 2-0.
Indian team hit back as Gurjit Kaur converted two penalty corners to goals. Soon after, Vandana Kataria hit the third goal. India now led the Rio Gold Medalists GB 3-2.
However, Great Britain’s Hollie Pearn-Webb hit a goal and leveled the score in the third quarter.
In the decisive last quarter of the match, Grace Balsdon’s penalty corner goal gave Great Britain the 4-3 lead and the Olympics Bronze.
After the Match
The spirited fight put up by the Indian team was duly noted, and appreciations poured in despite the loss. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his cabinet to Bollywood and Cricket stars, the Indian women’s hockey team’s performance was extolled ‘inspirational.’
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Rs 50 Lakhs to nine women in the team who hail from Haryana.